Youth Football

Coach of the Week Program

Each week throughout the 2014 nine-week high school football regular season, one coach that best develops his players’ character, discipline, and football skill in addition to emphasizing player health and safety in their program, will be recognized for his commitment to the team, school, and community. The winner is selected by a panel of high school football media members — Mick McCabe (Detroit Free Press), Hugh Bernreuter (Saginaw News), Bret Bakita (WOOD Radio-106.9 FM, ESPN 96.1 FM, Fox 17 TV/Grand Rapids), Scott DeCamp (Mlive.com/Muskegon) and James Cook (Traverse City Record-Eagle).

This season’s program will award $22,000 to aid in the development and promotion of high school football in the state of Michigan thanks to contributions from the Detroit Lions and the NFL Foundation and presenting partner, Farm Bureau Insurance of Michigan.

Each winning coach throughout the regular season will receive a $2,000 donation to his school’s football program. At the conclusion of the 2014 Michigan High School Football season, the Lions will also select the High School Football Coach of the Year. This season’s Coach of the Year will receive a $4,000 donation to his team’s football program.

In addition to the monetary award, all winners receive a certificate signed by Lions’ head coach Jim Caldwell and National Football League (NFL) commissioner Roger Goodell. Winning coaches also receive a personalized game ball.

Currently in its’ 18th year, the Detroit Lions High School Coach of the Week program has awarded $323,000 to high school football programs throughout the state of Michigan. For more information on the Detroit Lions High School Coach of the Week program, contact Chris Fritzsching, Lions’ Director of Youth Football, at 313-262-2248.